BEST Job Interview TIPS for Autistic People
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- Опубліковано 5 лип 2022
- Hi! I’m Claire, and this is my channel, Woodshed Theory. Here you will find the awkward ramblings of an adult autist. I love being creative and sharing my experiences with you. Subscribe to see more DIYs, Discussions, and Bunnies on your feed!
I spent 4 years helping people find new jobs. Today I am sharing what I learned about how to interview most effectively and combining in my knowledge and personal experience with autism. Have you ever struggled with navigating the interview process as someone on the spectrum? Do you have any questions or thoughts on what would help you with a job interview? We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
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My interviews have been either fantastic or terrible, and it all came down to how well I was able to mask. When I wasn't too overwhelmed and my clothes and the environment were OK, I did OK. But when I was stressed and uncomfortable, I shutdown. Not helpful for an interview! Really good tips, especially the bits about not going into special interests!
Interviews are overwhelming. I always felt like I was masking too, working on changing that.
Claire, these are great tips. On EYE CONTACT--one I learned from the aunt of a former student: look just to the side of the person's face. Or concentrate on the bridge of the person's nose. Not for long periods, but for a short time, it "looks" like a more neurotypical behavior. But the notebook is a GREAT asset. Thanks!
that's a great tip!
I experienced job interviews in two different countries. Every time for a low-profile labor. Despite the humble job positions, they want you to lie to them. They expect it. Honesty isn't accepted.
That is an interesting point. They are definitely looking for particular answers
As someone with bad anxiety I relate to these interview struggles a lot. Thank you for this helpful information. I have three interviews next week so I hope these helps!
Good luck with your interviews Alyssa. I hope something works out!
11:45 "Lots of people struggle with eye contact" You say while looking down at your notes :p
13:13 "I can't listen to you if I'm looking you right in the face." I usually apologize and try to make/fake more eye contact, but you're right to stand up for yourself in that situation. I'll try that next time.
13:23 Research on the company came up in my interviews a surprising number of times. I still don't quite understand why it's so important, but it definitely is.
15:42 "Do you have any questions for me?" I'm pretty sure I didn't get one job because of this. I researched the company and knew more than I cared to. I asked a couple more questions just because. They still kept repeatedly asked if I had any more question. "Are you sure you don't have any more questions?" It was like they were waiting for me to ask one specific question and without it I can't get hired.
.
When I graduated I was focused on getting a real career-type job. I did something like 50 interviews in 6 months, dealing with that whole 'need a job to get experience, need experience to get a job' thing. At that point I was on the spectrum and I had a minor un-diagnosed anxiety disorder as well. I have two suggestions that may be useful: First, always save the ad or job description when you get a job. It's useful for figuring out wording when you add that job to your resume for the next time. Second, each job interview is practice. This is not your dream job. You're not going to get this job. There is nothing to worry about. Just go in there, try your best, and learn from your mistakes for next time. Don't take it to an extreme and not care about the interview though, these practice sessions are valuable.
The way I finally got a job was, surprisingly, one of my special interests. I was into origami and I showed them a picture of some tiny cranes I made sitting on a penny. That impressed people at this particular job. They literally offered me the keys to the building 30 minutes later. It's a weird combination of likeability and skills that get you hired and I don't really understand it. I got very angry at a small hiring committee I was on because of some of the stupid reasons candidates were dismissed. If you fail, it's not necessarily your fault, the system is dumb. Unfortunately that system is pretty much everywhere so you have no choice but to try and make it work.
After the first career-type job I was in the network. I knew people in the industry. As coworkers moved to other jobs my contacts in other companies grew. Apparently a lot of small company jobs don't have a hiring process, you just ask someone you know if they're hiring and you're in. Admittedly I don't know many people, but enough to keep me employed without doing an interview for the last 15 years. I think Linked-In would make this process easier, but I haven't job hunted since that really became a thing.
Yes, i also think that the best way for an ASD person to get a job is probably through a referral. Most of us really struggle to interview and it's not an accurate representation of our skills.
OMG Claire! You need to make a series of videos and shorts on this topic. Using your experience to talk through each step of employment.
you think so? maybe!
@@WoodshedTheory I know so!!
Yes please!
i know this is old, but thank you so much! my anxiety gets so unmanageable that i fear i cant work because of how much terror the thought of the social interaction, interview process (my brain thinks of it more as an interrogation which doesnt help the anxiety much LOL) makes me.. unable to work at the moment. but id like to eventually work, so im trying my best to find things that can help me in any way at all.
i hope this did encourage you. it is really difficult for asd people to find their place in the workplace
I am currently going through a self-diagnosis cause no job or insurance. And I literally had to be given a cheat sheet to get hired at McDonald's cause a couple managers knew I was a hard worker, but I failed the customer service test first time around
Ahh friend I feel for you! The diagnosis process is too expensive esp for adults who are under employed
A lot of good advice there. Especially that you are also interviewing them as well.
Thanks for watching!
I've had two "traditional" jobs and only got them b/c I was able to skip the interview step both times (due to knowing a current employee).
The only volunteer position I got turned down for was the only one where I had a formal interview.
That's interesting. I know that this is the case for many people on the spectrum. If we can just show we can do the job, we can succeed. But if we have to interview it is very difficult.
I fell into the trade of becoming a night shift lathe department lead guy at an aerospace defense manufacturing company.
It all started at the age of 21 when suddenly I lost my ability to read from a TBI. Now, at the age of 52, I'm good at what I do and am secure in this trade. Locked in.
I'm glad you have something stable.
This is the perfect timing! I am having an interview coming Tuesday for an internship. Thank you so much Claire!
Good luck on your interview!
@@whitneymason406 Thank you!
Good Luck!
@@WoodshedTheory Thanks Claire!
@@whitneymason406 It went well. I can start working there!
I hate interviews! I will bring a water bottle and take drinks of water when I need a little think time. Any opinions on disclosing your diagnosis? Last job I had I didn't know I was autistic. Great video Claire! ❤
Personally I don't bring it up unless there's some specific behavior that can/did cause a problem. Most people don't really know what autism or being on the spectrum is so it becomes this whole thing explaining it. I prefer it if people get to know me and then learn that some of my odd behavior is caused by autism. If they learn about the autism first then I think they make all kinds of pre-judgements no matter how good an explanation I offer. They may walk on eggshells not know how they're supposed to act around me.
Hi Whitney, I'm not sure what to say. I agree sometimes it is better to wait. But I am also all for getting the resources you need to be successful. That is why I am excited that companies are starting to adopt interview methods specifically for people on the spectrum.
When it's time for me to rejoin the workforce, in a few years, I feel like I'm going to want to disclose because I have communication problems anyway -- people know I'm sort of odd anyway -- and I'll be worried I won't know how to bring the subject up later in case things start to go south (which they did, very quickly, last time I had white collar work). I am not good at explaining myself under stress. Which is why it''s probably going to be a good strategy for me to target companies that already have initiatives in place to hire autistic people. I'm so excited to think that I might still be able to have a career.
I love the notebook tip! I had no idea it's okay to bring one to a job interview.
sure I always have a note pad in my resume holder
These are excellent tips, Claire! After struggling to get and keep employment and working at stressful call center jobs for years, I finally decided to take a risk and go into business for myself as a freelance copyeditor and proofreader. Since books and language are a special interest of mine, it's a great fit. Traditional job interviews have always caused me a lot of stress. Do you have any tips for how to handle stimming or involuntary tics that might happen at interviews when you're nervous?
Hi there, this is also why I have started my own business. Handling tics and stims can be difficult. I would try to do it understand the table where they can't see it... but that doesnt really solve the issue because it is an important part of regulating for us and I'm not sure we should be forced to hide it. I would have to think on this one.
I find it so stupid that the interviews are made not to hire the best candidate but the best liar
hmm i'm not sure about the lying thing but def the best at interviewing sometimes
What a coincidence I have a job interview tomorrow(Tuesday it’s Monday now). I always tell recruiters the same thing get me into an interview and I’ll land the job. It’s keeping the job I have problems with. Staying interested enough to keep working there is usually a problem. The interview for tomorrow is more of a general interview they don’t have a specific job that I’m interviewing for they just liked my resume.
These days I am upfront about my autism so everywhere I go interview they already know. I also don’t do the clothing thing anymore, mostly because it’s silly I don’t wear suits or dress shirts ever so the first day I would just show up in my comfortable Harley shirt which is what I wear. I take a fidget slider as well and before the interview starts I explain what it is and why I use it.
I’ve already done my preparation last Friday. I have a few tricks that always work. You said you didn’t go over everything I agree with Orion that this could be a helpful series of videos. Unless I’ve misted the part two.
Good luck on your interview
I would love some advice on how to deal with multiple interviewers in a single interview. This blows me up every time. I've seen a pattern with a video interview, which I crush, followed by an interview with 4 or more people. The last with a company that claimed on their website to be dedicated to practices that supported diversity.
hmm this is a good question, i would have to give that some thought, my first thought would be to treat it like one person was there and answer one question at a time but i'm not sure if it works in practice
Excellent video Claire, thank you for all of you're great tips 👍 😊
Thanks for your support
You covered and made some really good points! Thank you! You could do another video on more tips, I think this was very helpful! Take care and stay safe! stay safe!
thanks i may do another in the future.
Wish I knew these tips before, but these will really help me out! Thank you!
Hi Lee, I hope they help.
thanks so much for making this video. i feel much better able to study for this interview now.
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you so much for this, hopefully I can pass an interview for a suitable job for me soon!
You can do it! let me know if you have any other questions
Loved this! Good advice even for NTs!!
Thanks Christine
thank you very much for the helpful tips !!
no problem girly
Also on eye contact, I have a little trick! So you basically just unfocus your eyes just slightly, almost like you’re going to cross your eyes, but just enough to make your vision fuzzy, and you keep your eyes relaxed, it helps you be able to look at their face without being focused on any particular part of it, which looks like you’re looking them in the eye/face! But don’t do it for too long just a little bit! Be sure to throw some nods in there as well yknow😂😂😂! But this had helped me with looking people in “the eyes” quite a bit!
And if you think you might look silly, you can just record yourself w the front camera, looking into your eyes and then just unfocus them and you can say “okay they’re unfocused” then refocus them and say “okay now they’re focused again.” So that you’re able to see in the video when you replay it what it looks like before and during the unfocusing and see if you look weird or not!
interesting tips!
Wow I often do same but it never came to my mind to record it on a video!
As a self-diagnosed Autistic and perofessionally diagnosed ADD/ADHD person, Could you do a video or just some tips on how to answer the question "So what are your biggest Strengths/weaknesses and how are you over coming those?" That is one of the questions I struggle the most as I do not have any working experience but do have house-work experience such as doing dishes, laundry, cleaning up and keeping the house neat.
Hi Yes i can think about a video like that - I would say the short answer to the question is to answer this questions "in regards to the job you would be doing here" - as i mentioned they aren't discussing anything outside of the job.
i'm interviewing for a job/school in healthcare tomorrow and i'm super scared! my primary concern is that i feel like i don't come across as enthusiastic enough. i think that's why i was rejected by the last school i interviewed at. i prepared more this time around and this video was helpful as well, especially the bit about staying on the topic of the job while talking about yourself
I hope it went alright!
Hi Claire! I think this is really good advice and it lines up with my experiences really well. There are a lot of pitfalls and unspoken rules in this (kind of like dating I think, lol). One thing I distinctly remember is interviewing for a technician job and being asked if I could learn some woodpecker calls that the interviewers would send me. I said yes, that sounded fun, but not explaining that I had previous experience learning bird ID (which is clear to me now that I've had more job interview training). Then I was confused when they didn't send me any calls to learn afterwards, that it was just a hypothetical scenario.
Also yes, the questions can be kind of unexpected sometimes, and hard to answer honestly. In my field a question that came up quite a bit was "What is a time that a problem came up when you were working in the field alone, and how did you solve it?" I always had to explain that I never had really worked in the field alone, always with a coworker or boss. Also the question of "What was a time you had a disagreement with a coworker/boss, and how did you handle it?" is always hard for me because I tend to be pretty easygoing (maybe too much at times lol), and I honestly said that I hadn't had any, but I've had to try to amplify the tiniest issues for these interviews, and it can feel like lying.
It's so cool you've had experiences as an interview coach and are using these to help people on the spectrum! I'm curious, did that experience help to boost your own interview skills? Or did you learn them before becoming an interview coach? A little of both? I'd love to see future videos on this topic too!
Take it easy and keep being amazing,
Sam
Hi Sam, I think that doing the coaching helped me somewhat with my own interviews. But it's been a while since I've done an interview.
I've had fairly good success. In my unsuccessful attempts i was very discouraged. Right noe though, i feel cheated and unsure if i can even work and be successful in any capacity at any job or career. I have my diagnosis in process. I believe im hyperlexic and that's always made everything much more difficult and misunderstood. I used to be a computer programmer and due to my communication skills and lack of filter on my thoughts it hasn't been so good. I also had adhd which made it almost impossible to stop my mouth, my thoughts, or my actions. I was so distracted by anything moving in open office environments. I was constantly under heavy scrutiny for my demeanor, my hyperlexic tendencies, my bluntness, my ability to compete work with their deadlines. Always being compared to neurotypicals and punished for doig half the work in the same time. Missing a few small details (obviously adhd). Ways being confused on the actual requirements and never getting any more clear understanding. Then i worked at a gas station and criticized for not working hard or quickly enough and constantly under pressure and scrutiny. Fired with satisfaction on their face. Then a pizza delivery job and of course bullied by other drivers. Walmart unloading the GM trucks and eight away taken to the office and punished for asking a question about something that i missed in the paperwork. Then nqpa and my adhd got me there with forgetting to verify i was clear to back up my delivery vehicle. I just finally gave up and then was at a homeless shelter and bullied by the person who managed it. Constant turmoil, went to sober living where everyone thought i was angry and of course bullied by residents, and the manager. Almost physically attacked by the same residents and the manager. Chased on the streets and held up every time i stopped over a four day period. Went back to the sober house and then same thing, bullied. Scrutinized and punished until kicked out. I wasn't ever a drug abuser but i had to live somewhere. Just so much criticism "you're just supposed to deal with what we do!" "You're white, how can you be discriminated against?" "We feel so unsafe around you!" "Are ypu on drugs or something?"
I hope you find something
I’m preparing for a job interview around this Thursday, because I’ll keep practicing for a job interview questions and answers. Even when I’m struggling or difficulties for job interviews at my oldest sister helped me to do a job interview, after I didn’t get a job at Canada’s Wonderland around earlier this year.
It’s hard to understand the questions and answering for a job interviews as a high functioning autistic person, because I have struggle with memory difficulties in the past, such as school, volunteer or work at some point.
I hope I will try my best to do answering the questions for a job interview in Scarborough.
Best of luck from Toronto.
I hope things go well! I think the thing to remember is to focus on the job you would be doing and tailor your answers around that
Yeah I've come to learn the entire job interview must be completely geared towards the sales pitch of "why you're the best fit and resonance for the true vision of this role," even personal interests must relate to the role somehow. Woop, have to remember to smile and boost up enthusiasm to extra-chipper in tone beyond a healthy neutral genuine and confident one that's apparently pretty average and thus "not as enthusiastic" if it's too similar to most candidates' energy. Qualified just isn't good enough, personality isn't good enough - seems like today something has to be uniquely incredible beyond the complete interview checklist, especially with the tech industry after half a million+ layoffs in the past few years.
I think I bombed one today with: 1) no thoughtfully researched and specific questions for them beyond general stuff like "is this a new role" and "how do you like working here" etc.
2) too nonchalant (and probably lacked sleep) in the tone, very comfortable myself but autism can totally overlook needing to "emphasize" and express the same enthusiasm inside in verbal tone, which can be a challenge for me. 3) overly wordy like my comment maybe haha
I say design and craft the interview essentials for all the most common questions and practice practice practice in a mirror, and record it to re-listen and provide a more genuine critique of the objective execution and tone.
13:38 I can absolutely resonate most with this one - how unnatural it feels to "play up" resonating with the company vision beyond "it's a job for money that I'm highly qualified for."
I say deeply research and take notes about the company and role that really do "resonate" most and capture all of that energy together that relates with current qualifications to give the confident burning desire performance as the curtains open for the interview. It seems like they love when the interview eventually shifts towards the future and what hiring success can occur at-least a year from now.
I had a job interview today. Not sure really how it went. The woman who gave me the interview was really bland and didn’t show any emotion either way. I’m thinking maybe she judged me right away and excluded me out. She said there will be another round of interviews which the owners will do the interview. I feel like I should call back and explain I have Asperger’s syndrome that’s why I seemed off and interviews are hard for me. But I’ve been in this field for 25+ years. I really want this job! What should I do? The job I’m looking for is few open positions out there. I keep getting turned down. I’m at a point of giving up and just excepting that I’m never going to fit in and just living on the streets! I’m tired and exhausted of the fight! I come from a time when you could get a shot to prove yourself! These hiring practices nowadays are out of control! Something has got to change. It was so much better when you were able to talk to hiring guy. Tell him what you could do. Shake hands and come to work. If you didn’t do what you said you could do you were fired within days!
do you have any advice on how to be accept being autistic in a workplace of nuerotypicals? the last job i was at coincidentally laid me off two weeks after letting them know i was on the spectrum. i don't know if it was related or not honestly but it feels like it was. so in this new job i just want to try to not tell the team or management but i already feel like 'the weird coworker' even though i have been trying really hard to be friendly and positive and have positive interactions coworkers but i feel like there's something looming in the air and i'm going to be judged, i'm really sensitive to people laughing at my weirdness or being excluded. i fear it before it even happens and i hate that. i want to take myself seriously as a business person though. i can't mask all of the time socially. anyways just putting it out there. it's confusing and i'm filled with self-hatred lol
wow this sounds like a really tough situation. I am sorry you went through this. It is so hard to say when/if you should disclose to your employer. I wish I had the right answer for you.
A few questions here (also, I'm not a native speaker so that's why it might be a bit rambly, I try not to use German sentence structures but that sometimes only leads to longer, less comprehensible sentences, I hope it's mostly understandable):
1. Why are clothes more or less "formal"? I never understood that, also because it's not really consistent. Why should I even take a position of an organization that had these strange positions?
2. To eye contact: what does it even mean? My and the other person's eyes can't literally touch, and I can't know where someone else is looking/ where there eyes are (probably has to do with me not having 3d vision, instead two overlayed images, so I just don't even get the idea). How would you define that / what do you mean with it and why do you think it's good?
2b. And to the comment of not paying attention, can't you just say that that doesn't matter - why give it up to them so easily and not discuss that if they're wrong, after all they might learn something from that if they're mistaken here (otherwise they should prove to me I'm wrong, at which point I would also of course change my opinion)?
3. To handshakes: you talked about when it's not necessary, sure, but you didn't talk about how you think one should refuse a handshake that's offered and that I wouldn't want, why is that?
4. To not being honest / saying what they want to hear: why would I even want to work for a place where they want me to lie? I just think at that point they don't deserve me and my work, why should I give them something they haven't earned just for some money? (I'm not saying that because I don't appreciate money, not at all, I know I need it, it's just that I had to pretend far to long to be able or unable to do things or want things to get by, and I just know it's really bad for me, and I wouldn't want to be effectively trapped in an environment where that would be the norm, I'm rather a bit more dissatisfied then, as bad as that can be)
5. One thing you haven't talked about at all: what about negotiation? After all, this is the negotiation of a contract, and both sides should have a say in it. How should you ask for the formal documents and how do you suggest changes, if you only would work under a slightly different contract etc. (Let's say you would only work on a fixed salary, not an hourly wage, or wanted more specifics on what they can make you do so it's less like serfdom etc)?
The other points about being prepared, asking relevant questions, not talking about irrelevant topics and not answering too long etc I can totally agree with, I just don't think I should perpetuate wrong principles by agreeing with them that way, especially if it involves lying, and I would want to know how you can find that morally acceptable
(And to explain my personal situation here: I never really had an interview, because I never understood why I should want to have a job I don't like. So the main question currently to myself is if I even want to go through with anything like this at all or just survive on the benefits system, it's not much but at least I'm not at the mercy of other people. I'm not quite sure about any of this, the only thing I'm currently sure of is that the current living situation with my parents isn't really working out, but I'm stressed out as is and don't need much more, so all of this is really more a theoretical question for in a few years or so (currently 25yo), just so you know where I'm coming from)
Hi there I will try to address these in a future video!
@@WoodshedTheory thanks, looking forward to it
I’ve only had two jobs and haven’t had to do interviews for them. Now that I’m searching I’m having to do interviews and I keep thinking I’m doing well but haven’t had a single job offer. But I keep being told that I’m lovely to talk to. Are they just saying this to be nice?? I can’t tell.
I have the opposite thing of eye contact in interviews but it’s only bc I stare very hard to compensate for it in those environments which doesn’t help bc my facial expressions are abysmal. Lastly, Would it be strange to ask for feedback on things you need to improve on at the end of the interview?
hi maya i dont think asking for feedback is bad - but maybe after they tell you didnt get the job
Any special tips for phone interviews?
sorry for the late reply - yes! if they won't be able to see you, then you can have as much information laid out in front of you - your resume, the job description, answers to difficult questions - that why you can just refer to them during the call
Hi
Shall one try to mask being on the spectrum or be up front at the beginning of the interview?
That is a tough questions - I really think it depends on a lot of factors
Thank you. I’m so nervous I’m scared I will zone out because it’s hard for me to reply well on the spot when I’m nervous